The Underwood News

Agencies make plans for potential big spill

8/21/13 (Wed)

By Jill Denning Gackle, BHG News Service

A fresh water tank near an oil drilling rig less than one mile from Lake Sakakawea ruptured in mid-June, spewing 374,000 gallons of water into and near Lake Sakakawea. Fresh water into fresh water doesn’t sound alarming, but Ryan Newman, lake manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said it’s just a matter of time before a catastrophic oil spill impacts Lake Sakakawea. “It’s not a matter of if, it’s when,” he said. He said the goal of the oil industry partners – federal and state agencies – is to be prepared. “Let’s get organized for when the big one comes,” he said.